Six days ago, the Rays said they have no plans to call up Wil Myers. Six days ago, the Rays lied. They might’ve just lied to make Jim Bowden look stupid. While I appreciate that, Bowden rides around on a Segway, so the Rays were piling on. About two weeks ago, I gave you my Wil Myers fantasy. Lets’ not recapitulate any of that, okay? Let’s not talk about how Myers could hit 20 homers in two-thirds of a season. Or how Myers could hit .280 with solid counting stats. If you want to read about the risk of rookies, go to that post and read that. I’m not here to talk about how Myers is the number one prospect call-up or how he’s worthwhile in all mixed leagues, but won’t be Mike Trout. I’m not going to talk about any of that. Dah! I just did, didn’t I? Damn, you fooled me! Myers is the kind of player that probably has the most value right now. He’s going to be a top round fantasy guy. Eventually. Yes, I just did the douchey one word sentence thing. Right now, he’s around a 4th outfielder. Of course, he’s draped in glorious upside. You could yell at him the same way you do to a Home Depot employee, “Hey, Toolsy!” For the future, he reminds me of an in-his-prime Matt Holliday. He’s a 30-ish homer, 15-ish steal guy with a solid average. Eventually. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Alex Cobb – Alex got Cobbered off the melon on Saturday, but he’s fine. The Rays placed him on the 7-day concussion DL with no timetable for returning. Maybe at some point MLB will put two and two together to realize a 7-day DL for an injury that takes weeks and sometimes months to recover from may not be that intelligent. Just a matter of common sense penetrating Selig’s toupee.

Alcides Escobar – 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, hopefully this is a sign that he’s coming out of his funk. Going into yesterday’s game, he was hitting .174 in the month of June after hitting .227 in May. Moustakas and Alcides have been giving you the fenugreek, which is a fancy way of saying FU en Greek.

Billy Butler – 2-for-5, 1 RBI and is now homerless since May 14th. Luckily, he hasn’t been bra-less.

Josh Willingham – Got a cortisone shot in his knee. In related news, Brian Dozier (2-for-3, 2 runs) hit a home run yesterday with Willingham’s leg.

Stephen Strasburg – 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 4 Ks as he was activated from the DL. Solid start back, but had the tough assignment of going against Corey Kluber. And that sentence is a Googlewhack.

Anthony Rendon – 3-for-4 and a big weekend for Rendon, going 7-for-12 with his first homer. Wouldn’t be surprised if Espinosa gets Pipp’d, and I don’t mean I have Great Expectations for Espinosa.

Oliver Perez – The Mariners went the unconventional route for their first save post-Wilhelmsen with Perez, the crazy hot chick. He’s unhittable…wow, his stuff is nasty…hey, why is he keying my car? Capps gave up 2 runs yesterday and Perez got the save on Friday, so that’s all I need to see to go with only Perez on my teams. Pray for me, this could get ugly real fast.

Josh Reddick – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer. No reason why he should still be on waivers in any league. No reason I should have to keep saying that either. Don’t make me repeat myself. And that’s me quoting me! There is no C. Hot schmotato!

Josh Donaldson – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 10th homer. Okay, but in the last ten days, his average fell 23 points, and he’s hitting under .250 in June.

Brandon Moss – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 12th homer, and third homer in the last 4 games. A rolling Moss gathers much stats.

Jon Lester – 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks. You’ll at least be able to tell your lady friend that you’re, “Just so angry because Lester’s xFIP was low,” then you can explain you don’t know what xFIP stands for by saying, “I’m not some dork!” and your lady friend can roll her eyes.

Mike Carp – Left yesterday game with a hamstring cramp. More like a pesky m cramping Carp.

Will Middlebrooks – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 9th homer. Guessing he has more than 9 hits all year, but I would just be guessing.

Jason Hammel – Probably won’t make his next start due to a stomach virus. Seems whatever has been plaguing his pitching is now affecting his stomach because he can’t keep anything down.

Nick Markakis – 4-for-5, 3 runs. Solid bounce back year so far, because for a few years there I thought he was Nick Macarcass.

Danny Valencia – 2-for-4, and a seven game hitting streak. Unfortch, that’s over the whole month of June, so the guy with a disco name is strictly a match-ups play.

Clayton Richard – 8 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 1 K in Petco, to lower his season ERA to 7.01. This was his worst start of the year in his season-long game of dodge ball that he’s been playing with opposing hitters’ bats.

Kyle Blanks – 3-for8 with two homers in the last two days. Get ______ now!

Ian Kennedy – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks. The Stream-o-Nator was very high on this start, which makes sense because it was in Petco, but considering Kennedy has a 5+ ERA, I’m not even sure why you own him.

Austin Jackson – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a slam (3) and legs (6). For the good people who pray for your speed and power, take your handlebar accelerator and rev, Jackson.

Alex Avila – 2-for-3, 1 run. First hits in a week, as he hits .172. What happened to this young brother? He went from geek to totally chic to nothing.

Joaquin Benoit – Earned the 1 1/3 IP save yesterday after the dreaded closer endorsement of Valverde on Friday. Benoit was fine as the closer earlier in the year, only to be replaced by a guy who wasn’t good last year for the Tigers. If you can wrap your brain around that one, you’re a smarter man than me and my IQ is like in the 8-9 range (IQ is measured 1-10, right?). I’d hold Benoit and Valverde, because Leyland’s yellow-stained mitts still haven’t decided anything.

B.J. Upton – 1-for-4, 1 RBI and had a double slam (8) and legs on Saturday. I’m not even married yet, but I’m already thinking about buying B.J. Can’t imagine he hits .167, or within fifty points of that on the year. Could get crazy hot and be near 25 homers and 25 steals on the year, and right now he’s at 8/5.

Julio Teheran – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, 3.36 ERA. Now that Beachy’s had a setback, the Braves don’t have to make a decision who moves to the bullpen or gets sent down. Unless an injury hits, starting to look to me like Beachy might go into long relief for the Braves for a month or so while the Braves wait for someone to stumble. I wait for the Braves move with bated breath. Or baited if you have a hook through your lip.

Johnny Cueto – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks as he was activated from the DL. A show of hands for how many people think Cueto will be injured again within a month? Okay, no need for jazz hands.

Zack Cozart – 2-for-4, 1 run and has a hit in his last six games. (That’s a sneaky way of saying he’s hitting below .300 in the last week. Less sneaky when I point it out, unless you have parenthetical blindness.)

Jonathan Lucroy – 2-for-4, and hitting .500 in the last week. I know a lot of you like to keep your catchers all year — or for about three days at a time until a different catcher goes 2-for-3, but Lucroy’s a guy to grab.

Alejandro De Aza – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer to go with his 7 steals. I understand Pence shuffling around wearing tissue boxes for sandals and urinating in milk bottles, but De Aza should be lapping him in steals.

Gordon Beckham – 2-for-4, 1 run and hitting over .350 in the last week. Not to get all philosophical, but if you yell Beckham is a hot schmotato, does anyone hear it?

Jason Castro – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer. Member when the only Castro you wanted was Starlin? Whatever, no fidelis Castro!

Jose Altuve – 1-for-4, run and his third steal in the last four games. He’s Snow White’s eighth dwarf, Speedy.

Yasiel Puig – 3-for-4, 1 run and his 1st steal. Mattingly said Puig will stay with the team even when Kemp and Crawford are both healthy. Ethier knew he had problems when he’d go to bat and the Dodgers started playing Elliot Smith songs off the Either/Or album.

Zack Greinke – 5 IP, 5 ER, 10 baserunners, 3 Ks. Ugh. Or as Thelma from Scooby Doo would say, Greinkes! He just looks off, or still hurt. I don’t have high hopes right now. His K-rate is poor and he hasn’t been getting unlucky. Maybe he’ll figure things out and have a solid 2nd half, but I have this pit in my stomach that we’re going to get a sub-par season from Greinke. Then again, I just ate a whole peach.

Gerrit Cole – 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 1 K. Hey, no walks is a cool trick — it’s an illusion, but no Ks leaves me wanting a different pitcher off of waivers. I’m giving Cole one more start. If I get another start that I could get from, say, Joe Saunders, then I’m moving on.

Alex Presley – 3-for-4 and his 2nd homer. Rudy picked him up due to the Hitter-Tron‘s recommendation. Rudy also caught the HItter-Tron touching himself to the movie, Short Circuit. Presley will get the Marte at-bats while he tends to a rib cage injury. Such a fine line for baseball players when they’re hitting in a cage.

Pedro Alvarez – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 15th homer. Ten days ago I said he’d hit five homers. He got the five homers. Cool, he can stop now since I don’t own him.

Chase Utley – Took batting practice without incident. Incidentally, he’s due back in a week.

Cole Hamels – 7 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks as he was out-pitched in Coors by Jhoulys Chacin (8 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks). As bad as Hamels has been, I’d take him over Greinke at this point. At least Hamels is getting Ks and has been a tad unlucky. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t want either right now.

Wilin Rosario – 2-for-4 and his 11th homer, as he bats .257. He’s on pace for 25 homers and people want to drop him. Seriously, dubya tee eff?

Carlos Gonzalez – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 20th homer to take over the NL lead in homers from Domonic Brown. We’ve got a Brownout, which only sounds like a sexually deviant term.

Nick Swisher – Could land on the DL. His sideburns want to play through it. Damn, facial hair is manly.

Corey Kluber – 8 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks. I’m a recent Kluber convert. Or a Konvert. I’m spinning a glow stick and wearing a glow-in-the-dark pacifier around my neck cause that’s how people down with Kluber do. When he took down the Nats yesterday, he started screaming, “The little man don’t wanna come to me. Then I’ll come to you people to lay out the truth. I am ranked number one streamer. ONE! That means I’m the best!” That’s Kluber, mang. He’s sporting a terrific K and walk rate and a more than manageable xFIP. No reason to not own him for his next start vs. the Twins.

Adam Lind – 3-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 8th homer. You should’ve picked him up two weeks ago when I first told you. Now Adam’s apple of someone else’s eye.

Colby Rasmus – 1-for-4, 2 runs and a homer. If he hits a home run tomorrow on the short schedule day, it’ll be his fourth straight day with a homer. Yeah, Rasmus is doing more than just hitting them when everyone else is siesta-ing, but he’s not doing a whole lot more than hitting homers (.230 with four homers in the last week).

J.P. Arencibia – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 14th homer and 2nd day in a row with a homer. Everything’s fine with J.P. or his name wouldn’t be Just Peachy.

Mark Teixeira – MRI on his wrist showed only inflammation. A DL stint could still be in the cards, or in the Yanks, as the case may be.

CC Sabathia – 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 6 Ks, moving his ERA to 3.93. He left with a 6-0 lead, but then Robertson and Rivera turned it into a tight 6-5 game. Yankee fans watching this were singing, CC and The Pitching Factory’s Gonna Make You Sweat.

Matt Garza – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 5 Ks then got the no decision because boom went the Marmol. Love seeing this from Garza, but before we put on dresses and start looking up each others’ skirts, it was in Metco.

Tyler Lyons – 5 1/3 IP, 6 ER vs. the MIA Marlins. For this, I ask you like a nobleman, you refuse to life in concord with Wacha? For this? Lyons is refuse, gentlemen and gentle four ladies. Hmm, maybe I should take off this powdered wig. It’s altering my priggishness.

Justin Ruggiano – 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs and his 8th steal, now batting .224. This weekend I went to an Italian restaurant and they brought Parmesan to the table, and said this is ‘Justin Ruggiano.’ I asked if it could hit .250, then the waiter punched me.

Ricky Nolasco – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks. It was a good weekend to be a Marlins pitcher, and not just because Loria passed out 20% off Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons for Father’s Day. BTW, since all bats are pink for Mother’s Day, for Father’s Day, shouldn’t all bats be painted to look like penises?

I KNEW the headline would be about the call up of Myers
Anyhow, I’m having some trouble in this league when it comes to hitters.

I am in 3rd place about 2 outta first. This league is my most $ league so it’s very important. Hah. Anyhow. This particular league I streamed good hitters that I have 3 bench and 1 DL player. I just dropped Erasmo for Myers as he was avaible and I believe Erasmo will clear waivers for me to pick him back up. I need to rid of players especially with Reyes coming back. Do you suggest to package like 2-3 players for A solid pitcher?

16 team league with .OPS as an added cat. Starting to wonder about Willingham, and I have to decide between him and Blanks sooner than later. One must go. I know Willingham has the track record, and generally has a pretty solid .OPS, but he just doesn’t seem right…and his knee is bothering him. Is possibly dropping him and keeping Blanks a reasonable move?

As a long-time fan of the Metropolitans, it is kind of bizarre to see anyone recommending Ollie Perez, who ran neck-to-neck with Jason Bay for the worst contract in Mets history. The Wilponzi regime never attempted to try Ollie in relief. He would always go four perfect innings then implode. He is a head case, however, and likely a unique permutation of a Cuddle Boy.

@Yeshcheese: Sweet! Yea I’ve been more a Garza believer in regards to pitcher questions than most. Dropping Beachy? No problem with it with this recent setback. Haha rather have Colvin unless you desperately needed catcher ABs and could slot him in.

Grey, I need to know who stands to lose the most playing time with Myers up. Is it Kelly Johnson, Joyce, Zobrist, Jennings? I really can’t figure out how they will handle this. I own Joyce and thinking of dumping for Blanks. Thoughts?

Luke Scott most likely. Could be relegated to bench duties. Scott could steal some at bats from Johnson as he figures to DH most days. Joyce should still play every day however it is worth mentioning the Rays face 4 lefties this week.

Atleast I will be able to start Kluber against the lowly Twinkies. I have had two sonavabenches in a row from him! One because he was in Texas, and I wasn’t a true believer yet (only an excuse because I didn’t have the grapefruits to start him), and the second time because I own Strasburg, who started against him. Here’s praying to the fantasy gods that he doesn’t blow up.

Again, a great rundown Grey. I am in first in all three of my leagues right now, and I attribute Razzball, and your endless insight and tools for the minority share in my greatness.

Ha that is a great caricature! First question: What kind of cocktail are you holding there?, and second question: Did you contract an artist to create that amazing work of art, or was it your moustache expressing its’ greatness on canvas?

Or don’t pick up one of Capps/Benoit/Perez and roster both Cashner and Kluber. My current closers are Perkins, Street and Pestano. With Brody Perez likely coming back this week, My Cousin should be losing the closer role soon. I’d prefer to have 3 closers but if those options aren’t worth it, I’d carry an extra starter (Cashner AND Kluber).

@John olerud: Try Cole and Headley which should be taken considering he took it 1-1. Agree no way that trade should’ve been accepted, but it’s not like it was collusion or anything, people vetoing trades is starting to get out of hand

who should have better numbers this season?
who should have better numbers 2014 and beyond?

I’m now well out but can trade for either Puig or Myers. 1st place team has Myers and the 2nd place team has Puig. they have gone back and forth between 1st and 2nd. I’m emailed them both and they have both said they’re willing to listen.

Would you trade miggy montero and Jordan Zimmerman for posey in a 12 team keeper? Avg is my worst hitting cat and my ratios are near the top of the league (but lacking k’s) my rotation is MadBum, shields, Harvey, zimm, ogando, cole, wheeler, erasmo. Thanks!

A couple of trade and keeper questions for you. Would you trade Darvish for Beltre/Shelby Miller in a H2H points league, I like to use the strategy of top starting pitchers and then use Hitter Tron to find 1 or 2 hitters daily available on our waivers that have good matchups to spot start. It’s a little early to worry about keepers, but if I do trade for Miller, he will have a 12th round value. Would you prefer Miller in the 12th or Strasburg in the 8th? I currently have Strasburg also, but we can only keep 2 SP and I definitely want to keep Kershaw even though he would take my 1st round pick.

@Ryan741: Prefer Strasburg in the 8th. I’d probably keep Beltre and Miller, since if you trade for Darvish you will have to cut Stras or Kershaw or Darvish, and with Beltre you can keep the hitter I’m assuming.

Hello Grey and company, I’m looking for some opinions on a trade I made. Not sure how I did on this one. I’m pretty much looking for you guys to make me feel better…. I traded Puig and Myers, and got Rizzo and Starlin Castro. How did I do?

Wondering if I should sell Wheeler while the hype is hot. Thinking of offering him for Porcello. I am in a 14-team H2H, with 5 weeks of playoffs between the top 6 teams, and I have a strong hold on 1st place now. Thoughts?

When A. Hill gets back, I’ll have a logjam at 2nd with Kipnis and Rutledge and Rendon.
I would like to trade for a SP.In a 12 team HTH league, how does somebody go about figuring equal value in a batter for pitcher trade?
Thanks to all

Proposed Prince Fielder and Dillon Gee for Austin Jackson and Bumgarner. He countered Fielder and Gallardo for Jackson and Fister. I’m thinking of coutnering Fielder and Gallardo for Jackson and Bumgarner. Thoughts?

16 teamer h2h where i’m first in runs, 3rd in steals, but 5th in homers and middle of road in Rbi’s/total bases (a cat)/ and avg. Have had Span all year, but his steals are pretty low, and except for occasional triples/runs he does nothing else. Does get a LOT of at bats.Maybe when Harper gets back this gets better, but maybe not. Other pertinent roster parts are
2b Rutledge/gyorko on DL
3rd A.Ram (rbi’s are really down lately for him) Dj of the mountain as 2b/3rd backup (this guy gets doubles/steals with no counting stats.
ss aybar/rutledge
OF dread pirate/choo/j-upton/colvin/span
most of season have had span at util (1 util) but now am using colvin or lemahieu (same team, same time zone, if colvin doesn’t play i put in the dj). Need to have at least one backup 3rd/2nd baseman so dj works for that too.
1.Is Span droppable for any of
Dominguez (plays everyday, gets rbi’s, occasional homer about same amount of bases as span in june, due to average being terrible)
J.D. Martinez (pretty much lower HR/higher avg Dominguez)
Valdespin
L.Martin (best numbers per at bat, but less at bats)
Hitter T says Leonys; with already having Colvin/DJ in same general area would always have somebody playing, except a possible problem on COL off days coinciding with A.Ram’s off days.

@goodfold2: Yea I think Span is droppable, you can either stream pitchers if you can, or I’d probably take Dominguez since you need the power most, then if he cools like he did earlier last week, move on to a hot bat.

My rationale is that my staff is 70 IP’s over the max right now.. that’s at least 10-12 starts I’ll be doing without.. Hopefully the fillins can off set (picked up Kluber & Stultz for now) what I’ve lost.

When I heard that Tulo had cracked one of his 12 glass ribs I went to the waiver wire to pick up Rutledge, but someone had already beat me to it. I was so pissed that I PUNCHED MY CLOWN and picked up Yunel instead.

3 year contracts Marte for rizzo and pappelbon. Marte is a 1 and Rizzo is a 2. We use ave, ops, hr, sb, RBI and runs. Personally this guy has a thing for Marte. Tell me if I am wrong but I see a guy who gets thrown out 45% of the time and does not know how to take a walk. Can he maintain his average? Should I sell high? Is rizzo the real deal? Is he Ike Davis in Chicago? I need to knock this one out because Iam still feeling the pain o the Rutledge dabacle! Jury is still out and it was nice to see him come back with a bang. Tulo is my hero!

@L-Boogie: 4. you held him all through his terrible starts, but now that he’s had 4 out of his last 5 starts being great, now it’s time to cut him? I had him in both a 10 and a 16 teamer and cut him after his 8 earned run mess in the shallower league, but had no choice but to just bench in 16 teamer (rather wait on good pitcher gone cold than the trash out there)

@jason batteiger: as terrible as league’s (and most of that whole bullpen) been, and how much better kenley is, i would be very surprised (and sickened) if one solo homer would steal that job back. It’s not like League has even proved he’ll be used in any sort of leverage spot at all.

@jason batteiger: I kept him this long but never started him. I wanted to pick up Kluber but i wasn’t going to drop one of my other piitchers: Bum, Scherzer, AJ, Liriano (nned the Ks), Jo-Fer, or Garza.

@JB Gilpin: Great. Now I’m really torn. Last week Grey said Zobrist, this week JB says A Jax. Serves me right for asking the question twice. What if I told you I really need RBI and I’m running away with runs?

Having watched Cole’s last two starts and listening to him, he seems perfectly content not going for strikeouts. The Pirates organization wants him to take the approach he has, pound the strike zone, pitch to contact, and get deep into games. I don’t think Ks are coming any time soon.

Anyway, I’m in a ten team league and my bottom 3 starters are Cole, Wheeler, and Garza. Any of those 3 drop-able for Kluber?

I give up Butler and Austin Jackson for Choo and Matt Moore. I would slide Arenado into the IF DH spot that Butler was occupying and the rest speaks for itself?

Here is my current pitching staff:

King Felix, Shelby Miller, Medlen, Lincecum, Gerrit Cole, Teheran, Cingrani, Wacha and Morrow. I have Perkins and Street as RP, but often use Medlen, Miller and Cingrani at RP. With Wacha and Cingrani out of the picture, it seems I could use Moore. Do his recent struggles concern you?

Lindsanity is in full blast! It’s his contract year? How can he go from Adam Lind, as we know and love, to Lou Gehrig just like that?

My offense finally has some life to it. Ironically Goldy has gone ice cold at the same time. You know how behind your offense is when your team hits 7 homers with 11 R and 11 RBI on a day, and your team gains a lousy 2 points in the standings.

All those days of 3 for 35 with 1 R and 0 RBI apparently count too, damn.

What’s the deal with the “Wil” spelling? To compensate for the extraneous ‘S’ in the last name?

Again, trying to set up my streamer schedule for the week to take the place of my injured Burnett. I did look at the SON and got these match ups, but I always like to hear from you guys as well. Give me 1 guy for each day, league counts QS, ERA, WHIP, K/9 and IP

Also, with three open spots, I’m looking to buffer my pitching and pick up a bat…I can wait on either if the potential ROI is significantly greater than what’s available now; towards that end:
-Dillon Gee over Dan Straily in a non-streamer, spot starter role, or Kyle Lohse going to maintain this turnaround? (facing a moves cap)
-Carlos Martinez over EJax, or Rondon worth the flier? (SP and RP needs are equal)
-BJ Upton over Josh Reddick, or Yelich in a keeper league?

One more for ya: King Felix/Kenley Jansen/Latos + 10th rounder for Iwakuma/Masterson/Lester + 8th rounder
Keeper league, so Jansen would be a 12th rounder, Iwa a 15th rounder, Masterson a 21st rounder if he proves himself worthy…is it even close?

It really is nitpicking to complain about the almighty Macho Man Manny Machado, but considering he hasn’t homered since early May, what is his power outlook? I thought he could be a 20/20 guy but that’s looking less and less likely.

I’m working with a ticked off Rizzo owner in my league (Yahoo 12-team weekly H2H, no keepers). He’s looking for my Matt Joyce for his Rizzo. I’ve been lovin me some Matt Joyce these last couple weeks, but can’t help believing that he’s going to cool off in a major way. So, what say you Razzballers? Do I make the deal?

@Grey: Thanks guys – sorry my post wasn’t clear. I’m keeping Norris regardless this week, but would you keep him for next week and beyond if he goes to a contender or just keep streaming different guys with that spot.

Hey Grey, I did the Weaver+ARam for Longoria trade–glad I did, cause the wheels are definitely coming off weaver. This freed me up a pitcher slot.
My current pitchers are: Price, Cobb, Minor, Homer Bailey, Wheeler, Cole

If you had to pick a second grab, any of the other folks also addable over Cole? I might give him one more start–but not too sure. He’s not horrible, but not crazy bout the lack of strikes (and that was an issue in the minors too, so not like the K’s are there just struggling to come out)?

Beckham or Rutledge at MI this week? I am looking for the deciding factor as I am on the fence about this either way. For 3 years I have been waiting to have Beckham be of use in fantasy and Rutledge seems to have slightly more upside for this year. Thanks in advance.

Would you roll with Tyler Colvin (faces 5 righties this week) or B.J. Upton (faces 1 lefty)? This is a points league, so I don’t need to consider steals or batting average or anything. I just want points.

And I also need to start one of these three pitchers this week : Gee (@PHI, @ATL), Cashner (@SF, LAD), Straily (@TEX, @SEA).

Thanks, Grey. And also, a few weeks back you mentioned someone completely wrapped up in gauze, and I’m assuming you were referencing the baby from the movie “Eraserhead.” If so, great job. That’s one crazy movie.

I think I already know the answer to this, but: Rutledge or Franklin ROS? And what pitchers do you feel are a fair return for Greinke/Moore? I wanna trade both or at least one away and with their current value, I’m not sure who I should be targeting. Thanks for the help.

Mr. Rudi: Do you happen to have a chart of total runs scored or runs per inning by month in MLB history laying about???

Was interested to see if there truly is an observed statistical “Dog Days” effect ..

I tend to be a 2nd half SP – GS guy historically… Seems, they are easier to pick the winners then and the selection is sure better as SPs fill up the puddle as other owner have spent their innings or GS …

Some nice starters today… But, my hitting has been SO injuried or PPDed or whatever, I need to fiddle with hitting more right now…

I’m falling off my GS fast -21 today.. By mid week will be at minus 25 or more…

MLB travel days are hard for picking up for PP-SPs and not having to make tougher than normal cuts to accommodate them..

PS: Sorry to bother you….. But, I’m only writing to Mr. Gray part time now – since he has become a part time responder… – (This is referred to as a “slow wobble”in the workplace)…

Sorry. I don’t have that data available. I think the strategy of staying below GS pace in the first half makes sense – assuming the league is over pace – in that you’ll be able to get better SPs in free agency and trade for the 2nd half and better middle relievers available at the draft/1st half than 2nd half (e.g,. I got Jansen and David Robertson late in RCL draft. Those guys will become much more valuable in 2nd half as teams max out on GS and need relievers). I’m doing this currently in RCL.

I don’t like carrying so much on the bench but I don’t think I should really drop any of those guys right now. I worry that BJ is about to explode. Myers could come up and hit the hell out of the ball and then have some extreme trade value. And I actually like Alvarez’s ability to mash and hit .220. I need some guys I can sub in for some instant pop.

Do I drop anyone for Joyce or Lind? I have 3 guys from TB as it is in Longo, Jennings, and Myers.

I could also use some pitching and really want to add Kluber. Think he could be a someone to hang on and not just stream for the year. Do I drop anyone for him?

@Wilsonian: I think I would, Zunino was having troubles with breaking stuff in AAA, at least we know JP can hit for power for sure. I think you’re fine since you can handle Alvarez’s AVG sink. I wouldn’t drop any of those hitters for Kluber, but agree he needs to be added if possible

@OaktownSteve: @Chris: so you think you’d both lose Utley or try to find someone else to drop? I like Altuve and think he probably ends up the better 2B for the year. But I still have some sneaky feeling that there’s a Zombino in Utley somewhere.

What are your thoughts on Alex Torres? He had some pretty good numbers in the minors this year, and has been pretty much unhittable since his call up. Is there any chance he takes Cobb’s spot in the rotation for now?

trade brown and kemp for the Dread Pirate? currently in 2nd place hanging tough.. 10 team h2h mixed yahoo league.. if no, do you think im trying to over-manage my team or should i be actively shopping Brown still..i feel like he’s already showing signs that he couldnt keep this up

So whaddya think? Does this team have a problem or is it just random fluctuations of luck? Since I’m not playing him, should I drop Rutledge for Tillman or Edwin Jackson? Thanks for all your hard work!

@JB Gilpin: Thanks for the feedback. I was cruising for a while with Zimmermann, Peavy, Ryu, Milone, Cobb and spot starters, but nearly all of those have hit some bumps in the road recently, in one way or another.

@Grey: I get making a two-fer trade, but rosters are locked all week, so I can’t play bench bats. Or maybe I’m not getting what you mean. I’ll try to shed a couple of bats regardless. Not being well known, Frazier doesn’t seem to be in much demand, but I might be able to move him to the guy who is starting Michael Young at 3B. Thanks

Yeah well I don’t actually read your stuff so I’m still the real funky real one here, broseph! You would know nothing if the naughty Hitter-Tron didn’t whisper sweet, greasy nothings into your ears! *straws grasped at and missed*

Gray: Where’s the love? CarGo(me) is on pace for 29 home runs, 88 RBI, 31 stolen bases and 102 runs scored. Given that, aren’t you being a bit Tom Petty with your bet that Gomez will be well below .300 by July?

My keeper roto league is finished for me. Someone is offering me Puig, and Gyorko at $0 for a haul on my end (Jordan Zimmerman, Cuddyier, Chapman). Obviously a haul for him. He also has Zach Wheeler. I’m interested in accruing keepers, but this seems like way too much. What’s the right amount?

Have Cole thinking about dropping for Kluber or Porcello who do you like ROS.? Do you like starting Wheeler tomorrow? Leaning on it have Harvey would be cool on Met sweep. Thanks for the thoughts!! 10 team league.

I’m currently rolling with Rutledge at SS in an OBP league. Trade Gio for Desmond? My only other pitchers are Greinke, Scherzer, Jose Fernandez, Cashner, Wheeler and Kluber. Big lead in ERA though as I am slowly selling off my pitchers (Anibal, Harvey, Moore and Cobb all dealt). Thanks!

An owner in my league is looking to move Cabrera for a pitcher and an outfielder, what would be a fair offer based on my OF’s and Pitchers listed below. I have Fielder, Longoria and Goldschmidt as my 1B, 3B and CI, so the right answer may be I don;t have room. Thoughts?

V.MARTINEZ, C.HART, J.REDDICK, K.JOHNSON and J.LOWRIE are a few other available players
Gyorko would look good as I could slot him into the 3B slot when he gets back, moving H.Ramirez to SS and Hardy to UTIL.
Thanks!

Would a Choo and Donaldson for Wainwright be a good idea? Greinke seems to blow and I lost peavy, only have Max Max/Shark/Minor/Holland/Wheeler now. This roto league also counts Complete Game Shutouts, which Ace do you think can deliver those ROS? There’s a team that needs 3b and Of bad and has both Wainwright and Lee. I’m thinking of offering the trade for Wain and if rejected sending it again for Lee. Thoughts?

One more for ya: King Felix/Kenley Jansen/Latos + 10th rounder for Iwakuma/Masterson/Lester + 8th rounder
Keeper league, so Jansen would be a 12th rounder, Iwa a 15th rounder, Masterson a 21st rounder if he proves himself worthy…is it even close?

Proving the point that Rutledge is a Rutledge. You being the sensible one and not overreacting, me and others bailing because we can’t decide whether we love or hate him. I’m going Franklin. I’ve been in love with him since he came up, and then I jilted him for Uggla and Ruts, and now I’m going back to his loving .300-hitting arms even though the chances are good he drops off to normal.

You’re right, Nickmundo had that two-dong game and then no more fireworks, but at least he’s chipping in with a run here and an RBI there while still maintaining the .300 avg. I’d reach for the next shelf up and go Alcides but he’s just as dull at the moment. In a 5×5 his average is flat, he doesn’t dong, he’s not scoring runs.

Hi, thanks for all the great advise, entertaining and informative.!
i need some help.
my team is in last place of a 12 team h2h non-points 10 cat league. i am 20 games out of 6th place, the last playoff spot. when everyone gets back from injury i think i have a descent team but could you let me know what kind of adjustments i should make & what you would do if it were your team? i know that i need to get rid of some guys but most seem pretty mediocre so they are hard to differentiate.
c-molina
1-dunn
2b-cano, profar
3b- headley, rendon, gyroko
ss- reyes, nick franklin,
OF- kemp, torii, werth, soriano, nava.

Assuming Moreland comes back Friday, who gets dropped in a H2H points league: Aybar, Weeks, or Moreland? No positional constraint. I am assuming I can keep playing Lind in the 1B slot for the foreseeable future.

I need a hitter and a pitcher, but I’m not the only team and don’t have priority.

Alfredo Figaro is probably my first choice. Volquez is on the wire too. Is he rosterable given that I have to play him every start? Morton, Cumpton, Francis and Collmenter are all available. Is it worth taking any of these guys or just grabbing a middle reliever who can get me 4Ks a week without blowing up my ratios?

Would you go Figaro then Volquez, Morton, Collmenter, whatever, in that order?

Then for hitters, I have the option to activate AJ Ellis and roll with three catchers (Torrealba and Hanigan are my other two), or I can wait on Ellis and pick up Sweeney, Ed Lucas or Shane Robinson. Any of those guys better than what I’ve got?

Weekly lineup question–I can go with Willingham or Rendon at UTIL? 5×5 head to head. Hitter-tron likes Willingham better than Rendon but I am worried about the cortisone shots and Joshua not playing the 6 games this week. Thoughts?

I was looking at your FIP vs ERA comparison for pitchers that are fairly widely available (I’m in a relatively deep league). I saw Chacin has a 3.26 fip and 4.26 era. I picked him up, but I’m wondering; will the fip go up or the era come down? What do you think?

trying to pull of some trades here. which side do you like better? are they fair offers?
The deals would work best if both get accepted, if not my have to work on others or ride with FA at a 2B/SS spot for a bit

anyways…
trade 1 – move Grienke, Homer Bailey, and Papelbon for Felix and Kipnis – I realize this is a long shot (if necessary, I’m prepared to offer Minor in Bailey’s place, not sayin that’s anything great, but hey)

Freeman, Marte, Trumbo, Ortiz, Carlos Gomez. Two of these too much to send for Kershaw, or am I overly attached? I have too many batters and need a legit Ace heading to the playoffs and a roster spot to stream. Thanks!

I was leaning toward Cole since he has won two already, but it sounds like you are a bit down on him due to the his Ks. Wheeler will not get many wins due to the team he is on – Will he make up for it in ERA, WHIP, and Ks?

Don’t worry, I’m still soulless! Actually, I’m prolly gonna go back due to the reason you state… Hard enough to take my ramblings serious but then you have a cartoon character telling you this shizz and it starts to boggle the common sense gene…

@Grey: you play the comments pretty pedestrian, don’t get me wrong, it’s a hilarious pic, would make a great T-Shirt, but the souless black and white really grabs the attention. I can sit here and kiss your ass, tell you how wonderful the new pic is, but I’m the hateful one, I have a job to do…..it does make me think I need a vacation, it’s only been 8 or 9 years, I might be due.

@Grey: an alive version of weekend at Bernie’s? ooh what an alternate sequel, an adult animated version of weekend at bernie’s where he is alive the whole time while barely avoiding death. Lot’s of cartoon nudity!

Friday had three pretty spectacular starts with no wins. Sale, Gio and Masterson went a combined 22 innings, .81 ERA, .863 Whip and 32 Ks without notching a win. The cruelest category.

Is Jim Henderson the closer or is he not? I suppose there needs to be a save opportunity for the closer question to be relevant.

Good to check the weather and starting time for O.co games. Park doesn’t play as pitcher friendly on day games when it’s around 80 degrees or above. Case in point with yesterday’s 10 spot and a bunch balls flying out.

I let my daughter watch the US Open yesterday as I was hung over and it was father’s day so I indulged in a little TV parenting. With no prompting from me she decided to call Justin Rose “Adam LaRoche”. Jason Day was “Edward Mujica”. Hunter Mahan was “Chase Utley.” But Phil Mickelson she just called “Chicken”.

Ah, I understand now. But speaking of which, WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTLEDGE AFTER TWO DAYS?!? JK, of course that’s not a serious question. I picked him up in the writer’s league just to F’ with Tehol cuz he drafted Tulo. I think I have Tehol bent over a barrel and in prime trading position but I’m worried he might like it.

I was just offered Matt Moore for my Matt Joyce. I don’t exactly need pitching since I’m already over the innings pace and normally wouldn’t want to trade a hitter for a pitcher, but should I take it anyway? It seems like too much value to give up, unless of course Joyce stays this hot in the second half. Thanks!

I’m starting Rutledge this week in my CBS weekly ROTO. Now Colorado have said they are not starting him tonight.

They seem to be favoring that DJ guy for the most playing time in the Middle infield. I’m in need of Stolen Bases (the only hitting category I’m lagging), Would DJ be a smarter speed play than Rutledge?

in a 16 team h2h league where i need help in these stats in descending order of how far from 1st i am. RBI/total bases/hits/avg/HR/, don’t need runs/steals, already top 3 in those who’s better for util spot, even if doesn’t play everyday as i already have other guys colvin/dj lemahieu to play if this guy doesn’t. I also have Span and it seems he’s droppable for improvement where i need it. but for which of:
Arcia (back to starting)
J.D. Martinez
Dominguez
L.Martin

So now that Myers is finally up I have too many OF’s. Which one of the following do I try and trade away: AJax, Choo, Marte or Myers? Is one of those OF’s packaged with Latos or Minor for Wainwright a fair offer?

@Grey: Haha nice. I’m also tryin to trade for Cargo. I’m offering Zobrist, Utley, Colon, Holland for Cargo. I’m in a h2h, dynasty points league and I need to improve my hitting (I have the best pitching in the league.) I figure with Rendon, Segura, and Franklin my infield should be ok. Also tryin to sell high on Colon who’s won his last 6 strarts… I figure he’s due for regression because one can only eat so many stem cells right?

He really seemed to turn a corner for that start in Texas on the 21st. It was down to him, Parker and Hudson to grab as a streamer. The first two have been grabbed. How would you rate those guys for the week?

Grey,
An owner is trying to trade his Holliday and obviously i’m interested. He wants pitching. Only pitcher I have that is untouchable is Waino but what would be a reasonable offer to try and pry Holliday? I have Greinke,Miller,Cole,Wheeler,Milone,Parker,Colon,Samardija, and Kluber.

Like you, I think Adam Jones is Awesome. However, base on these matchups below, would you conceive benching him this Week and Start Gardner? Brett’s my main Speed guy and I’m losing ground in the steals department. The other Categories I’m doing well.

@CramYourCatcherQuestionUpYourCramhole: I have 7 good outfielders for 6 spots. Someone has to sit every week. I’m reticent to bench Gardner as he’s my most reliable source of steals and has been playing well lately.

I like the new Avatar! I’ve got a guy who may be interested in buying high on Tillman. Is Granderson too risky to target with that wrist, or should I try and package Tillman with someone like Brantley for Rios or Cruz?

@Prezz: It essentially is a 1 V 1 situation. A few people have zoned out, so there are only about 5 players left that actually make transactions and seem like they care still.

For me, the challenge is beating the guy in first place. I’ve been in second the entire season and me and this dude are duking it out every week to gain superiority. We are a fair amount ahead of the pack.

He leads pitching. I lead Hitting. Even though some guys on the wire in my league would not be sitting there in a more competitive Leagues, its now all about category tactics and one upmanship.

Hey, its not perfect scenario, but the challenge of beating him and finishing first at the end of the season is there, so I’ll take it.